12 August 2007

Sadie is doing well. The drainage tube was removed Friday and she is full of energy again. We're hopeful everything is going to be fine but the vet said there is a chance that there are still bits of the grass awn in her neck that caused the abscess. We'll know if we're in the clear or not about 3-5 days after we take Sadie off the antibiotics. If bits are still in her neck then it will start to swell into an abscess again. Until then, Sadie as been cleared to join me back on the road starting Tuesday. :)

I've had some good runs during my cutback week. Thursday I ran a hilly 6 miler. My allergies are getting worse and my nasal drip has become rather annoying during the runs. And to help matters in absolutely no way whatsoever, a grain elevator caught fire Friday afternoon along part of a trail I often run. The fire burned through the night and into Saturday. We drove by it today (Sunday) and it was still smoldering as crews kept drenching it with water. Pullman smells like burnt toast.

Yesterday I ran to the Farmers Market in Moscow, Id. 10 miles in 1 hr 24 min. Jeanie and the puppies met me at the Market and we picked up some goodies for the week. I think I'll make my famous fajitas tonight. Yippee! Oh, and if my allergies aren't bad enough, for about three miles of this run a crop duster was spraying the field next to me. Here I am running to live a nice healthy life and I get dive bombed by field chemicals. I tried to hold my breath for those three miles but found it was impossible. I would run and run and hold my breath but at a certain point right before I was about to pass out I was forced to take a deep breath or two. My first kid will have six ears and a tongue growing from one hand. :(

Today's run was at the University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden. This was our first time to visit since we've lived here. No pets were allowed so I thought today would be a good time to try it out since Sadie is still "officially" out of action. A gravel path loops around the arboretum at a distance over a mile long. There are several side trails as well. I ran around Japanese Flowering Cherries and Turkish Filberts for about 3 miles and then met up with Jeanie for a casual walk for another mile so we could take in the off trail plants, the highlight being the Perry's Fire Opal. 4 miles all in all. I wish I had my camera. It was a lovely (and hilly) place to be on a Sunday morning. Then we took the puppies to the park for some Frisbee and Sadie is trying hard to make a case for an early return from the disabled list.

I'm getting so excited about the Cle Elum 50k you can't even imagine. The lower mileage this week was welcomed, but I'm excited to get back out there this coming week to rack up some more.

I had to take a double look at the picture to see what you were talking about. You should cross lace rather than criss-cross your laces. Much better for your feet if you have any swelling while running. On my trail shoe we are trying the elastic lace to give my feet extra room. I will likely make this change on my road shoes as well.

that elevator was on fire?! oh dear! oh, and i really really really miss the farmer's market & the co-op in moscow. they are both excellent :) that's awesome that you ran from pullman to moscow... i'm jealous you have a trail like that close by ;) i'm gonna start running a bit more this week - happy running!